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The Dogs outscored the Crusaders 44-26 in the first half, making 16 of 34 first-half shots, including four treys. Juniors Cory Nietfeld and Ben Moser led the Dogs in the first half with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Junior Cory Nietfeld, making a reverse layup against Melrose, scored 16 points in a loss to the Dutchmen and 22 points in the Dogs' victory over Cathedral last week.

"We came out and played a strong game from the start," said coach Phil Carlson. "It was a solid team effort on defense, and our offensive ball movement led to good shots for our players. Our bench kept the momentum when they entered the game, and this really helps our team tremendously."

The Dogs had 21 assists on 27 field goals in the game. They did not shoot as well in the second half, making only 11 of 26 shots, but they outscored Cathedral by two points (29-27) and won by 20 points.

It was the first conference victory of the season for the Dogs, now 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the West Central Conference North. It broke a 19-game conference losing streak for the Dogs.

Nietfeld finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Dogs.

Moser added 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

Juniors Sam Bayer and Elliott Wall each made a first-half three-pointer for the Dogs and combined for eight steals (five for Wall and three for Bayer).

The Dogs hosted LPGE in a WCC North game on Tuesday night. They will also host Minnewaska, a new conference rival, on Friday.

Paynesville--	44	29	- 73
Cathedral--	26	27	- 53

SCORING: (FG-FT/FTA-PTS)
Paynesville 73 - Cory Nietfeld 8-5/8-22; Ben Moser 7-5/7-20; Derek Stanger 4-0/0-9; Aaron Braun 1-3/4-5; Mark Andrie 2-0/0-4; Trent Hansen 2-0/0-4; Sam Bayer 1-0/0-3; Elliott Wall 1-0/0-3; Ted Hoffman 1-0/0-2; Matt Mergen 0-1/4-1; TOTALS: FG 27/60, FT 14/23, 3's 5.

Cathedral 53 - Tyler Hagen 6-4/6-16; Glenn Carnahan 4-0/2-8; Ryan Winner 1-5/8-7; Steve Carlson 2-0/0-5; Trans Zwiener 2-0/0-5; Zack Schroden 1-1/4-3; Joe Stephen 1-0/0-3; Andrew Leintz 1-0/0-2; Dan Salay 1-0/0-2; Alex Hennen 0-1/2-1; Joey Meyer 0-1/2-1; Steve Laraway 0-0/3-0; TOTALS: FG 19, FT 12/27, 3's 3.

STATISTICS: 3-pointers - 5 Bayer 1; Moser 1; Nietfeld 1; Stanger 1; Wall 1; Rebounds - 37 Nietfeld 15; Braun 5; Moser 5; Assists - 21 Nietfeld 8; Moser 4; Hansen 3; Steals - 17 Wall 5; Bayer 3; Hansen 3; Nietfeld 3; Andrie 2; Blocks - 3.

Melrose 74, Paynesville 50
The Melrose Dutchmen stayed undefeated in the West Central Conference North, breaking loose with a late first-half run and sealing their victory over the Dogs with a strong second-half start. They ran their conference record to 4-0 so far with the 74-50 win.

The Dogs trailed 17-13 with six minutes to play in the first half when junior Cory Nietfeld picked up his third foul and went to the bench. In the next minute, junior Ben Moser hit a three-pointer to get the Dogs within four at 20-16, but over the next two minutes, Melrose went on a 9-0 run to build a 29-16 lead.

The Dogs cut the lead to ten at 32-22 late in the first half, but Melrose hit a short jumper just before the halftime buzzer to take a 34-22 lead into the lockerroom.

Melrose went on a 12-0 run to start the second half, taking a 46-22 lead by holding the Dogs scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half. Moser finally scored for the Dogs, who never got within 20 points again and lost 74-50.

"Melrose came out in the second half and got good looks to extend a halftime tead of 12 to 20 or more," said coach Phil Carlson. "We were not pleased with our effort, and we know we have to take care of the ball better when the opponent puts on the pressure defense. We need to come back a better team from this."

Moser led the Dogs with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Nietfeld, despite his foul trouble, added 16 points.

Melrose--	34	40	- 74
Paynesville--	22	28	- 50

SCORING: (FG-FT/FTA-PTS)
Melrose 74 - Curt Bertram 8-4/6-20; Matt Moorman 5-5/7-19; Brad Wiehoff 5-3/4-13; Seth Gieske 2-2/5-7; Danny Beste 2-0/1-4; Peter Herkenhoff 2-0/0-4; Jeron VanDrehle 2-0/0-4; James Rosen 1-1/2-3; TOTALS: FG 29, FT 15/25, 3's 1.

Paynesville 50 - Ben Moser 6-3/4-18; Cory Nietfeld 7-2/2-16; Aaron Braun 1-2/2-4; Nathan Nietfeld 2-0/0-4; Mark Andrie 0-2/2-2; Sam Bayer 1-0/0-2; Elliott Wall 0-2/2-2; Joe McCarron 0-1/2-2; Derek Stanger 0-1/2-1; Trent Hansen 0-0/1-0; TOTALS: FG 17/36, FT 13/17, 3's 3.

STATISTICS: 3-pointers - 3 Moser 3; Rebounds - 29 Moser 7; Cory Nietfeld 5; Assists - 7; Steals - 9 Andrie 2; Blocks - 11 Moser 3; Bayer 2; Braun 2.